Overview

Tomb of the Golden Bird (Amelia Peabody Series #18) by Elizabeth Peters

Banned forever from the eastern end of the Valley of the Kings, eminent Egyptologist Radcliffe Emerson's desperate attempt to regain digging rights backfires—and his dream of unearthing the tomb of the little-known king Tutankhamon is dashed. Now Emerson, his archaeologist wife, Amelia Peabody, and their family must watch from the sidelines as Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter "discover" the greatest Egyptian treasure of all time.

But the Emersons' own less impressive excavations are interrupted when father and son Ramses are lured into a trap by a strange group of villains ominously demanding answers to a question neither man comprehends. And it will fall to the ever-intrepid Amelia to protect her endangered family—and perhaps her nemesis as well—from a devastating truth hidden uncomfortably close to home . . . and from a nefarious plot that threatens the peace of the entire region.

About the Author

Elizabeth Peters earned her Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago's famed Oriental Institute. She was named Grand Master at the inaugural Anthony Awards in 1986 and Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America in 1998. In 2003, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Malice Domestic Convention. She lives in a historic farmhouse in western Maryland.

Hometown:

A farm in rural Maryland

Date of Birth:

September 29, 1927

Place of Birth:

Canton, Illinois

Education:

M.A., Ph.D. in Egyptology, Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, 1952

Editorial Reviews

“[A] grand adventure.”

Toronto Sun

The 1922 Egyptian archaeology season starts on a very bad note. Radcliffe Emerson's attempt to trick his rivals into handing over digging rights in the Valley of the Kings backfires, raising the worst suspicions of Howard Carter and Lord Carnavon. Just when Emerson is beginning to fret over the probable loss of King Tut and his riches, villains pose a question that lands him, Ramses, and Amelia in even worse trouble. Another exciting Peabody tale of death in the desert.

Safer and probably a lot more fun than an actual trip to present-day Egypt, MWA Grand Master Peters's 18th entry in her bestselling Amelia Peabody historical mystery series is given solid and ironic life by veteran reader Rosenblat. With an upper-class British edge that might remind some listeners of current PBS Mystery series host, Diana Rigg, Rosenblat is best at making Peabody the combination of wisdom, strength and occasional familial frustration that has endeared her to so many readers and listeners. But she is also adept at capturing the men in the family (Amelia's husband, the pompous Radcliffe Emerson; his not-to-be-trusted half-brother, Sethos; and the Emersons' smart and hunky son and heir, Ramses) and various other high-level Brits who propel the plot about the search for Tutankhamen's tomb. Rosenblat also does the Egyptians in grand style, rarely slipping into ethnic vocal clich s. Escapist adventure, to be sure-but the quality is as high as ever. Simultaneous release with the Morrow hardcover (Reviews, Feb. 13). (Apr.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

By 1922, almost every Egyptologist despairs of finding another royal tomb-except for Radcliffe Emerson, who doesn't have the rights to dig where he suspects Tutankhamen lies. It's Howard Carter, subsidized by Lord Carnarvon, who gets the first glimpse of the royal burial chamber. The tomb's curse seems to be dogging the Emerson household, maybe because Emerson, his parasol-wielding wife Amelia Peabody, son Ramses, daughter-in-law Nefret, grandkiddies and assorted hangers-on have stealthily entered the tomb at night for a quick peek. Or maybe the Emerson woes have been caused by his brother Sethos, late of the British Secret Service, who attracts trouble the way the Nile attracts flies. Soon Sethos's estranged wife Margaret is kidnapped, an aged retainer is waylaid, the family is followed in and out of the souks and Carter and Carnarvon cut them dead at every opportunity. Is the mummy's curse active? Are nationalists rising against the Brits? Whatever the cause, Christmas must be celebrated, tea must be enjoyed on the veranda, whiskey and soda must be imbibed, several romances must be stage-managed by Amelia and all Tutankhamen's treasures must be oohed and aahed over as they are removed from his tomb. The political machinations are less interesting than the competition between the archaeologists and the Emerson family. As usual, though, Peters (The Serpent on the Crown, 2005, etc.) has great fun dressing her characters up in Victorian finery and outpost-of-the-empire attitudes.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

In 1922 in Egypt, Egyptologist Radcliffe Emerson begs Lord Carnavon and Howard Carter to let him excavate in the Valley of the Kings where the duo have exclusive digging rights. Because he is well known for his findings, Radcliffe¿s action leads to a feeding frenzy from some of his rivals who assume something of value awaits those who dig in the Valley of Kings. They are proven right when Carter uncovers the tomb of King Tutankhamen. --- The incredibly preserved burial chamber contains a wealth of artifacts that attract a global invasion of curators, collectors, amateurs, the media, government and grave robbers. Among the last group arriving at the sight is Emerson's shifty half-brother, severely ailing Sethos, who carries a secret document that if it gets into the wrong hands could cause unbelievable hostilities in the Middle East. Though he wants nothing to do with a sibling he does not trust, Radcliffe tries to help Sethos, which leads to increasingly dangerous attacks on his family. Not one to wait for an assault, Radcliffe¿s wife Amelia Peabody begins to look into who wants them dead and whether the motive is Sethos and his document or something to do with Tut. --- The eighteenth historical Peabody mystery is a refreshing superb tale that uses the Tut dig of 1922 as a backdrop to the action-packed story line. Radcliffe plays the prime role more so than Amelia, which adds to the feel of briskness in spite of the desert climate. The mystery comes a little later than usual, but is well worth the wait as the early plot provides insight into the renowned Carter excavation. TOMB OF THE GOLDEN BIRD is must reading experience for Elizabeth Peters¿ fans while newcomers will fully appreciate a strong early twentieth century mystery with a powerful historical foundation. --- Harriet Klausner

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

carlosmock

More than 1 year ago

The Tomb of the Golden Bird by Elizabeth Peters
This the 18th in a series of historical mystery novels, written by Elizabeth Peters and featuring fictional sleuth and archaeologist Amelia Peabody and her husband, Egyptologist Radcliffe Emerson.
The Emerson-Peabodys have been banished from the East Valley, Egypt where they are convinced the tomb of Tutankhamen lies.
Powerless to intervene, but determined to stay close to the site, the family returns to Luxor and starts digging in the West Valley, where they uncover Tutankhamen's tomb.
Before the dig can commence, Emerson and his son, Ramses, find themselves lured into a trap by some villains who are in pursuit of &quot;he.&quot; This drives the Emerson-Peabodys - guided by Amelia's curiosity - on a quest to uncover who is &quot;he&quot; and why &quot;he&quot; must be found.
Using the heroine, Amelia, the writer narrates a way to protect the family from sinister forces that will stop at nothing to succeed in the sinister plot that threatens not only Amelia's family, but also the entire region.
Narrated from Amelia's first person point of view, the work is commercial literature that follows a pattern, much like in the preceding books. I read the book in a few days, but was not too impressed with the work. Even though it was entertaining and mindless, I got the copy from a friend and would not have paid money for it.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

This is one of the worst books I have ever encountered. At 70 years of age with a Ph.D., and 3 Masters in different fields, I have accomplished some reading. This is a pompous read, over blown, and a complete waste of time. It might have been a worthwhile novel with 225 pages or so edited out, but that wasn't the case. I fail to see how the author had it published.. Overall boring, and inaccurate and silly data, particularly with reference to the historical figures, Carter and his patron, for example.
A great waste of time!!

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Peters' (and one presumes, Amelia Peabody Emerson's) perspective on one of the greatest moments in archaeological history. Oh, and " every year, another body" ! This book is Elizabeth Peters at her best.

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